Summary
First World War memorial, unveiled 1921.
Reasons for Designation
Rennington War Memorial, which stands in the churchyard of All Saints’ Church, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
* Historic interest: as an eloquent witness to the tragic impact of world events on this local community, and the sacrifice it has made in the First World War;
* Architectural interest: a simple yet poignant war memorial cross in a local stone type;
* Degree of survival: unusually the memorial has not been adapted for Second World War commemoration, and thus retains its original design intent.
History
The aftermath of the First World War saw the biggest single wave of public commemoration ever with tens of thousands of memorials erected across England. This was the result of both the huge impact on communities of the loss of three quarters of a million British lives, and also the official policy of not repatriating the dead: therefore the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss. One such memorial was raised at Rennington as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.
Details
The c3m tall memorial stands in the churchyard of All Saints’ Church (not listed), to the north-west of the church tower. It takes the form of a wheel-head cross in sandstone from Denwick Quarry. The cross shaft rises from a tapering pedestal, which stands on a two-stage base.
End of official list entry
